Not a huge debt but need help

Sansababy · 23 May 2018 at 10:28AM

Internet, TV and Landline are all one package from Sky, still in contract with them at the moment but will renegotiate when the contract is up.

With Nursery they expect you to use them for at least 30 hours (2.5 days) a week but you can have 15 hours funded by the 2 year funding. You also have to have their meals or remove your child for lunchtime as there are a couple of children with severe allergies so everything made by them is an allergen free. I don't drive so it's easier paying £5 a day for meals and snacks that it is walking to get her. When she gets the 30 hours in September I will have to use them for at least 35 hours a week (3 full days) and my bill goes up a little more then as well.

I have got CMS trying to get my Ex to pay for his daughter but at the moment he;'s evading them. They've said it can take 6-12 months to get anything in place, so at the moment I'm getting nothing from him, it would make life so much easier if I even got £5 a week off him.

Jm90 · 23 May 2018 at 12:13PM

Hi there, i have 4 children and 2 of mine have used nursery and i just used the 15hrs, i dont think you HAVE to put her in 30hrs a week, this is alot and right now you cannot afford it, could you pull her out for the time being or only use the 15 free hrs? Talk to the nursery and see if its an option?
In my opinion your rent/council tax arrears are more important than anything, although not ideal but could your daughter stay home with you for now which would free up money for the other debts until she gets thr 30hrs in September?

Are you sure shes entitled to that as i thought both parents had to be working to be eligible? Maybe exceptions just thought i would day incase its a mistake

National_Debtline · 23 May 2018 at 12:21PM

Hi Sansababy

Thank you for posting your SOA up - some initial observations:

- Your water and energy suppliers may offer lower social tariffs and/or trust funds to help you with any financial hardship you are experiencing. Criteria vary between suppliers, but as a lone parent in receipt of Income Support you have every chance of being eligible for at least some assistance. A full overview of what schemes are offered by various suppliers can be found at https://www.aurigaservices.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/2017-Help-with-Water-and-Energy-Bills.pdf

- You haven't clarified yet whether the nursery debt has any bearing on your child's right to attend for now. Either way, please don't assume that this debt is your top priority purely on the basis that it is the largest amount you owe anyone. The rent and council tax debts have the potential to escalate and attract extra costs relatively quickly, and should be your main focus at present. For now, this may simply involve dropping your council and HA a brief line to make them aware of your financial difficulties and that you are seeking advice, so that they put any other action on hold.

Dennis
@natdebtline

MrsSave · 23 May 2018 at 2:15PM

Despite still being in contract with sky, it is definitely worth giving them a ring and explain you are struggling to pay every month and they may be willing to change your contract. They may not, of course, but for one phone call I would definitely give it a go.

Gladioli · 23 May 2018 at 2:28PM

Do you actually need the nursery if you are not working? You could save that money and be debt free fairly quickly? I appreciate you may lose your place however at the moment it could be a quick win.

beanielou · 23 May 2018 at 2:38PM

MrsSave wrote: »

Despite still being in contract with sky, it is definitely worth giving them a ring and explain you are struggling to pay every month and they may be willing to change your contract. They may not, of course, but for one phone call I would definitely give it a go.

Agree with this.

Also have you thought about your local credit union?

Also do you have any previous employment with an employer who would have a benevolent fund who could offer help?

beanielou · 23 May 2018 at 2:43PM

Anything that ypu could sell on local FB pages to help you get rid of even 1 debt?

Sansababy · 23 May 2018 at 5:19PM

Thank you everyone. Will definitely contact my local credit union I'd forgotten about them.

I have emailed the Nursery asking for 7 days to come up with something so I have some breathing room. I don't need childcare really but daughter has a few extra needs we're not currently getting DLA or anything for and her paediatrician and health visitor thinks she benefits from being in Nursery so if I remove her I'm at risk of losing her. Have asked about dropping to 15 hours only but it is in the contract that you have to use them for 30 hours if using a funded place so I'm not hopeful. the debt may well affect her place but I think if I can at least try to pay some of it off they'll let her stay there.

I can't speak to the utility companies as the bills were all in husbands name and he won't speak to them to transfer them to me, they won't just take my name for it even though I've been paying the bill.

beanielou · 23 May 2018 at 6:16PM

Well you could switch suppliers & the debt remains your ex's.

Sansababy · 23 May 2018 at 6:31PM

No debt to the utility companies so no problems there, so will look at switching suppliers.

Not a huge debt but need help

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